Marquita A. Rice 1966-2023

Marquita was born Sept. 5, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the daughter of Henry Deramus and Patricia Manuel.

Marquita worked for the New Castle Area School District for five years, before retiring in 2023. Marquita had a passion for kids, dance, choreography, teaching and worshipping God. She utilized her formal dance training to choreograph one-of-a-kind praise dances around the world that impacted all who witnessed her swan-like grace. She was well known for her love for her husband, daughters and family, her beautiful smile, her contagious spirit, her graceful countenance, her giving heart and her love for taking pictures and videos of everything!

Marquita was preceded in death by her aunt, Maria Manuel; grandfather, Edward Manuel; grandmother, Lorraine Manuel; mother, Patricia Manuel; and niece, Lamarra Delk.

In addition to her husband, Brian Rice, Marquita leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Brittany (Daniel) Santiago and Zoe Rice; her four brothers, Jamel (Tasha) Manuel, Sean (Monique) Manuel, Anthony, and Corey Harden of New York; two uncles, George “Herc” Robinson (Karen) and Dave (Melvina) Manuel; aunt, Vickie of New York; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A celebration of life will be 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at the New Castle Junior / Senior High School Auditorium. A repast will follow the celebration of life in the school cafeteria.

Burial will be in Parkside Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral Home & Crematory, 941 S. Mill St., New Castle, Pa.

Online condolences may be offered at www.

decarbofh.com.

(special notice)